Hundreds Brave Rain For Parade

Despite the rain, the parade and celebrations for the annual Columbus Day festival went off without a hitch. Nothing could stop the processional of marching bands, dignitaries, dance troops, beauty queens, and civic groups from displaying their talents and pride on Sunday afternoon as part of a New Haven tradition.

Charlotte Gambardella, treasurer of the New Haven Columbus Day Committee, said that Mayor John DeStefano wanted this year’s event to “not just be a parade, but a celebration that kids and adults could enjoy.”

Gambardella estimated that over 500 people showed up for the parade and festivities.

The parade commenced at the Green and concluded at lower Wooster Square Park.

Mayor DeStefano, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, and Columbus Day Committee members watched from a stage as people lined the sidewalks and viewed the parade.

Children’s activities included pony rides, a live petting zoo, a hay maze, balloon creations, and a chance to sit in a police car, fire truck, mini bulldozer, garbage truck, and SWAT truck.

Adult activities included wine tasting, massages, live music, voting registration, art, and more. Local restaurants set up trucks and sold pizza, Italian ices, calzones, hot soup, popcorn, and cupcakes.

Anthony Cavaliere (pictured) drove one of the featured cars in the parade, as he done for many years. “It’s a shame it’s raining, but it seems like everyone is still enjoying it,” said Cavaliere.

Zuleika Garcia and her children Jareli, Gabriel, and Jailya (pictured) all waited in line for a balloon creation, despite the rain. They were prepared for the weather with umbrellas. Garcia said her group missed the parade, but, “we’re going to stay for a while and do all the kids stuff.” Garcia added, “They just got a picture with the Mayor!”

Ramona Campbell and Michelle Ahmad stood under an umbrella as they took pictures with their phones of Christopher Highsmith (Campbell’s nephew and Ahmad’s grandson) who cheerfully posed as he sat on a bulldozer. “We’re having a good time. We’re enjoying everything,” said Campbell.

Ariela Martin, a student at Cooperative Arts & Humanities High School, is an Independent contributing reporter.

Post a Comment

Commenting has closed for this entry

Comments

posted by: THREEFIFTHS on October 8, 2012 12:13pm

How do you have a parade for columbus who was a terrorist.How could Black and latinos take part in this parade for a terrorist.Read the book A People’s History Of The United States.Read what columbus wrote in his log book. Chapter 1: Columbus, The Indians, and Human Progress

Arawak men and women, naked, tawny, and full of wonder, emerged from their villages onto the island’s beaches and swam out to get a closer look at the strange big boat. When Columbus and his sailors came ashore, carrying swords, speaking oddly, the Arawaks ran to greet them, brought them food, water, gifts. He later wrote of this in his log:

They ... brought us parrots and balls of cotton and spears and many other things, which they exchanged for the glass beads and hawks’ bells. They willingly traded everything they owned… . They were well-built, with good bodies and handsome features…. They do not bear arms, and do not know them, for I showed them a sword, they took it by the edge and cut themselves out of ignorance. They have no iron. Their spears are made of cane… . They would make fine servants…. With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want. Columbus also wrote:

As soon as I arrived in the Indies, on the first Island which I found, I took some of the natives by force in order that they might learn and might give me information of whatever there is in these parts.